Ritz Theater (Newburgh, New York)

The Ritz Theater is located in the city of Newburgh, New York. The theater is the last remaining historic theater in the city. The legendary building has a rich history of notable performances, and is being restored by a local nonprofit organization.

The original structure that would become the home of the Ritz Theater was constructed in 1883 at 107 Broadway in Newburgh, New York. “The address had been the site of other ventures that offered some of life’s small luxuries: George Barnes’ plumbing business ... a cigar factory ... and even a champagne factory.”

In 1913, the intended manufacturing building was purchased by George Cohen, “a Poughkeepsie entrepreneur,” and was named Cohen’s Opera House. The opera house opened on February 4, 1913. The opera house welcomed performers of all arts: jugglers, singers, dance troupes, theater companies, etc.

The East-West Theater Company became a part of the theater and changed the theater’s name from Cohen’s Opera House to the State Theater in 1926. The State Theater was a major participant in the vaudeville theatrical genre that was extremely popular at the time.

In 1933 Eugene Levy purchased the theater from George Cohen and “converted that playhouse of a gaudier era into an institution where cinematic and variety productions of the highest standard [were] presented with amazing skill, and affording the fascinated beholder the ultimate in comfort and convenience.” This would begin a new era for the Ritz Theater, which became a frequent stomping ground of many big name stars such as: Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima, Mary Martin, Peggy Lee, Wood Herman, Dick Powell, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Eddy Duchin, Red Skelton, Xavier Cugat, The Inkspots, Vaughn Monroe, Montana Slim, Les Brown, Ricardo Crotez, and many more.

On November 3, 1940, Frank Sinatra, an unknown singer at the time, stepped onto the Ritz Theater’s stage. The band of Tommy Dorsey backed Sinatra who captivated the Newburgh audience.

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